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bigiainw

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Hi Folks,

My name is Iain, I'm 46 and live in Scotland. Just been to the Dr's for a follow up fasting glucose and it would appear that I may be pre-diabetic- not a surprise as both my parents were/are type 2 diabetes sufferers and I've been overweight pretty much since birth.

If this is confirmed, then it's my intention to go back to a low carb diet- I used this for a number of years from 2003 and lost loads of weight, but we lost our son suddenly about 41/2 years ago, and the weight has crept back on. Since that time I've been diagnosed with arthritis and I think the arthritis meds interfere with my ability to lose again, even when low carbing. that said I was never more healthy when low carbing and if I did it before, I can do it again

My dad died from complications of his diabetes at 61, so I'm well aware of the risks if you don't look after yourself but I'm prepared for a fight with my GP as he's a traditionalist and I just don't see the logic in filling yourself full of carbs and then using meds to control your blood sugar- it just doesn't make sense. I'll go back to low carbing and give my pancreas a rest!

I look forward to conversing with you all at length about whatever!

best wishes

Iain
 
Hi Iain and welcome to the forum :) I think you will find this information that we give to new members very useful. You may be able to prevent the progression to full-blown diabetes. Ask all the questions you like as there is always someone who will answer.

BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEWLY DIAGNOSED DIABETICS


Diabetes is the general term to describe people who have blood that is sweeter than normal. A number of different types of diabetes exist.

A diagnosis of diabetes tends to be a big shock for most of us. It’s far from the end of the world though and on this forum you’ll find well over 30,000 people who are demonstrating this.

On the forum we have found that with the number of new people being diagnosed with diabetes each day, sometimes the NHS is not being able to give all the advice it would perhaps like to deliver - particularly with regards to people with type 2 diabetes.

The role of carbohydrate

Carbohydrates are a factor in diabetes because they ultimately break down into sugar (glucose) within our blood. We then need enough insulin to either convert the blood sugar into energy for our body, or to store the blood sugar as body fat.

If the amount of carbohydrate we take in is more than our body’s own (or injected) insulin can cope with, then our blood sugar will rise.

The bad news

Research indicates that raised blood sugar levels over a period of years can lead to organ damage, commonly referred to as diabetic complications.

The good news

People on the forum here have shown that there is plenty of opportunity to keep blood sugar levels from going too high. It’s a daily task but it’s within our reach and it’s well worth the effort.

Controlling your carbs

The info below is primarily aimed at people with type 2 diabetes, however, it may also be of benefit for other types of diabetes as well.
There are two approaches to controlling your carbs:

  • Reduce your carbohydrate intake
  • Choose ‘better’ carbohydrates

Reduce your carbohydrates

A large number of people on this forum have chosen to reduce the amount of carbohydrates they eat as they have found this to be an effective way of improving (lowering) their blood sugar levels.

The carbohydrates which tend to have the most pronounced effect on blood sugar levels tend to be starchy carbohydrates such as rice, pasta, bread, potatoes and similar root vegetables, flour based products (pastry, cakes, biscuits, battered food etc) and certain fruits.

Choosing better carbohydrates

Another option is to replace ‘white carbohydrates’ (such as white bread, white rice, white flour etc) with whole grain varieties. The idea behind having whole grain varieties is that the carbohydrates get broken down slower than the white varieties –and these are said to have a lower glycaemic index.
http://www.diabetes.co.uk/food/diabetes ... rains.html

The low glycaemic index diet is often favoured by healthcare professionals but some people with diabetes find that low GI does not help their blood sugar enough and may wish to cut out these foods altogether.

Read more on carbohydrates and diabetes

Eating what works for you

Different people respond differently to different types of food. What works for one person may not work so well for another. The best way to see which foods are working for you is to test your blood sugar with a glucose meter.

To be able to see what effect a particular type of food or meal has on your blood sugar is to do a test before the meal and then test after the meal. A test 2 hours after the meal gives a good idea of how your body has reacted to the meal.

The blood sugar ranges recommended by NICE are as follows:

Blood glucose ranges for type 2 diabetes
  • Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 8.5 mmol/l
Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (adults)
  • Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 9 mmol/l
Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (children)
  • Before meals: 4 to 8 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 10 mmol/l
However, those that are able to, may wish to keep blood sugar levels below the NICE after meal targets.

Access to blood glucose test strips
The NICE guidelines suggest that people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should be offered:

  • structured education to every person and/or their carer at and around the time of diagnosis, with annual reinforcement and review
  • self-monitoring of plasma glucose to a person newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes only as an integral part of his or her self-management education

Therefore both structured education and self-monitoring of blood glucose should be offered to people with type 2 diabetes. Read more on getting access to blood glucose testing supplies.

You may also be interested to read questions to ask at a diabetic clinic

Note: This post has been edited from Sue/Ken's post to include up to date information.
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Please sign our e-petition for free testing for all type 2's; here's the link:
http://www.diabetes.co.uk/petition/

Do get your friends and colleagues to sign as well.
Click to expand...
 
Good Luck Iain ,
I was told that I was pre diabetic , and one year later had a diagnosis , for type 2 . the hardest ting is no vending machine snacks in the afternoon . ... and why do supermarkets now offer 10 jam donuts for £1 ?
You will crack this , keep at it .
All the best !!
 
Hi all,

A wee update in that I am neithwer diabetic nor prediabetic, but my fasting glucose is "slightly impared" whatever that means! My Dr has recommended that I have the test repeated annually for now, however, after a wee fright, I've decided to take matters into my own hands and get some weight off. I started last monday and have managed to shift 14lbs this week, the most I've ever lost in a week, via a low carb and portion controlled diet. I'm well impressed and majorly surprised. Long may that level of weight loss continue!

Best wishes

Iain
 
Hi Iain

A very wise decision indeed cos if you're 'impaired' now and do nothing you will certainly become diabetic down the line.

To me, impaired is pre-diabetic????????????????

Well done on the weight loss, incredible loss in a week, keep it up (not the 14lb lol)

Mary x
 
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